FOUR puppies were tipped out of a box and left to die in the freezing cold and pouring rain metres away from an animal rescue centre.

The RSPCA were informed of the tragic discovery by a passer-by who found one collie puppy and two lurcher pups shivering in a gateway in Braypool Lane, Brighton, on Wednesday night at around 9pm.

They then found a fourth puppy, a lurcher, lying dead beneath a pile of sawdust that the others were using to keep warm.

The collie puppy is the only survivor after the other two were rushed into emergency care, with one of them dying soon after and the last remaining lurcher pup being put down because she was so ill.

RSPCA animal collection officer (ACO) Julie Parsons, who rushed the puppies to the vets, said: “These poor pups were so ill, one had already died and the other three were suffering from parvovirus.

“We think they are all aged between nine and 12-weeks-old.

“They were all thin and very cold.

“From the way the poor dead puppy was underneath a heap of sawdust it looks as though these poor little mites were literally tipped out of a box and left there.

“It is so hard to understand why anyone would dump sick and dying puppies in the middle of the night in this way when they clearly needed help.

“The fact they were just up the road from the RSPCA centre is just heartbreaking.

“The three surviving puppies were rushed to the vets but were so poorly that sadly one died not long after they arrived for emergency treatment.

“The following morning vets found the last lurcher puppy was so severely ill that the kindest option was to put her to sleep.

“They are now fighting to save Molly, the little collie puppy.”

The RSPCA told The Argus yesterday that Molly is still in a severe condition but is now starting to look a bit better.

The charity has now launched an investigation into the puppies’ abandonment and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Parvovirus can be fatal for dogs and mainly affects younger puppies that are between six weeks and six-months-old.

The virus, which is known to be highly contagious, can occur after puppies experience high levels of stress or when they are weaned from their mothers too early.

There are no drugs available that can kill the virus and treatment consists of intensive care focused on boosting the dog's immune system.

The RSPCA receives around 2,000 calls every day during the winter months.

The charity is expecting to rescue a total of around 19,000 animals over the winter period.

Anyone who can assist with the ongoing investigation or has information about the incident is urged to call the RSPCA on 0300 123 8018.

THE ARGUS COMMENT

THE decision to put a photograph of a dead dog on page one of today’s paper wasn’t taken lightly.

It’s not pretty, it’s not nice, and if you don’t like it, then tough.

Our thinking behind it was simple. We wanted to shock you in the hope you realise how utterly abhorrent it is to commit such a act.

Whoever the coward is who did this, we hope you’re reading the paper. Although maybe reading is a step too far.

You are clearly a mindless moron.

Dumping dogs is bad enough. Dumping dogs on a freezing cold night makes it even worse but dumping dogs, on a freezing cold night, METRES away from the animal centre is downright despicable.

This really takes animal cruelty to a whole new low.

There are genuine cases out there of people who for whatever reason find themselves in a position where they can no longer look after their pets.

And the majority of those people do the right thing.

Rehome the pets themselves or take them to animal shelters in the hope the dedicated and hardworking staff and volunteers who work there can help.

Sadly that didn’t happen this time around. Instead the heartless owner couldn’t even be bothered to wait until the shelter was open to do the right thing.

Four pups, aged between nine and 12 weeks shivering, starving and no doubt terrified. Four quickly became three, then two and now there’s just the one left bravely clinging on to her life.

We’re all rooting for her and hope she pulls through. As for her owner, we have no words.

By Paul Kennedy